The late Kwaito star Mampintsha – born Mandla Maphumulo – has been at the center of controversy once again, as his sister, Pinky Gumede, has made shocking allegations regarding his reality show, Uthando Lodumo.
Gumede has dropped a bombshell, claiming that the first two seasons of the Showmax reality show were staged and that Mampintsha and Babes Wodumo’s wedding was funded entirely by the show’s producers.
Claims of a Staged Wedding
According to Gumede, Showmax and Parental Advisory Productions (PAP) covered all expenses, from the lobola (dowry) payment to the wedding attire and make-up.
Mampintsha and Babes Wodumo – whose real name is Bongekile Simelane – tied the knot in April 2021 in a lavish wedding at Ebandla Hotel in Ballito, Durban.
Speaking to Sunday World, Gumede alleged that the couple was broke at the time, and the wedding was funded purely for entertainment purposes to attract viewers.
She further claimed that their family was not informed in advance about the wedding and was only rushed to a shopping mall on the day to buy outfits for the event.
“We decided to go with the flow. We were then rushed to a shopping mall, where they bought us outfits for the wedding. Showmax and the production were paying for those costs,” she revealed.
“I know this because they were the ones choosing the clothes and paying. On top of that, Mandla and Bongekile were broke,” she added.
Babes Wodumo’s Team Denies the Claims
In response to Gumede’s allegations, Babes Wodumo’s spokesperson and manager, Nondumiso Simelane, dismissed the claims, saying that Pinky Gumede had no knowledge of the lobola negotiations.
“Pinky knows nothing about lobola negotiations. Mandla (Mampintsha) was never broke, and he paid lobola out of his own pocket,” Simelane stated.
She further emphasized that the Simelane family received lobola from Mampintsha himself, not from Showmax or PAP, as Gumede claimed.
“Pinky wouldn’t know this because she’s never helped Mandla with anything,” Simelane added.
Pinky Gumede’s Fight Over Unpaid Fees
Gumede’s allegations come amid her legal battle with Moja Love over unpaid fees from her participation in the reality show.
She has threatened to take legal action if the network fails to pay her for her appearance in a new reality show set to premiere in March.
“Hell will break loose if this show is aired without my payment,” she warned.
She claims that she was mistreated by the same production company during the previous seasons of Uthando Lodumo and that she was never properly compensated.
“We shot two seasons with them, and we were badly paid. Even then, we were ill-treated and had to fight for our money,” she stated.
Past Payment Disputes
According to reports, Gumede alleges that a man named Thomas initially approached them to shoot Uthando Lodumo, but they never received full payment as agreed.
Now, as the new Moja Love show is set to air, she is demanding what she believes is rightfully hers and is prepared to fight for it legally.
Conclusion
While Pinky Gumede stands by her claims that Uthando Lodumo was staged, Babes Wodumo’s team has strongly denied these allegations.
At the same time, Gumede is preparing for a legal battle over alleged unpaid fees from the production company.
Whether her claims hold weight remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – the drama surrounding Mampintsha’s legacy is far from over.
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